29 December 2017

Rosemary simple syrup for one of my favorite holiday cocktails, the Rosemary Gin Fizz. So easy to make a big batch up. And so good.

Morning snuggles with this one before the crazy day began.

Brunching with some of my favorite peeps. These ladies push me every single day to be a better me.
Our holiday card, 2017. I had been fretting about getting a photo this year. Luckily, we were at a party with a photo booth. Done.

Christmas Eve. at our house was pretty epic. Family and friends filled our house. So many people that mean so much to me. Wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

Merry, merry us. Christmas morning.

Christmas at my sister and her family's house. Bunch of goof-balls. I'm sure my sister would like to point out that the matching turtlenecks are courtesy of her son. Red for the ladies. Navy for the guys.

Boxing Day shenanigans.

This might just be the coolest thing ever. A tintype portrait (in the processing solution) by Artist in Residence at The Pfister, Margaret Muza. I absolutely love it.

22 December 2017

Brian's company party was last Friday night. They sure know how to show people a good time.

We visited Nina & Papa at their new (temporary) house, and said good-bye to the old one. It's bittersweet. Excited for their next adventures, but so many great memories made in this place.

No one wanted to play with her.

Our friend Eva, who is originally from Germany, invited us to a wonderful German holiday party. Glühwein, sausages, homemade pretzels and German chocolates. So much fun. What a great way to kick off the holiday weekend.

15 December 2017

We hosted our very first high school swim spaghetti dinner. I think it was a success! We had about 28 kids. The best was watching a bunch of them sitting on the dog bed getting cozy in front of the fire. Perfect on a snowy night.

The guy was the supervisor while I snow blowed.

H had to swim the dreaded 500 yard freestyle. He came in 4th out of 6 against the strong Homestead team. His time was just over 7 minutes, which is quite good. I have a feeling this won't be the last time he does this event.

10 December 2017

The boys and I were so excited to get together today for our annual cookie baking extravaganza. Even my niece came home from college for it! It's messy and chaotic, but always a super fun day. One of my favorites during the holiday season.

02 December 2017

The day after Thanksgiving, we went to Oak Park for the Elmso's annual Leftover Day!

PJs, movies all day, and leftovers! It's a most perfect time, made even more special by having a couple of the college kiddos home.

These boys! I can't even... <3<3<3 And next year, Finn will be in college too, which means, my eldest is up next. My gosh, it goes so fast.

“I wish I could jump right through that thing.”

She's a beauty! I just hope I don't regret the tinsel decision -- looks like we'll be picking it up until next Christmas.

As you know, I've been working with Beautycounter for about 9 months now. Beautycounter is offering some really great gifts this holiday season that are as always, safe and non-toxic. So many sets have sold out, and most are in low inventory status so don't snooze and lose.

First swim meet of the season. H swam 200 yard medley (he swam breast stroke), his very first IM, 100 yard breaststroke and freestyle relay. He won his 100 yard breast -- his first individual win. His team also won the freestyle relay. Such good stuff.

26 November 2017

Per tradition, we put up the Christmas Tree this weekend. We visited our favorite place -- Monches Farm. They honestly just have so many beautiful trees, it's ridiculous. The boys each picked out an ornament like every year. H has a house the lights up. And C got a glittery reindeer. As we were hanging up the rest of the ornaments, he figured out that he pretty much has picked out an animal ornament every single year since he was 1. The tree turned out really pretty I think. It's got a little more bling than normal with some added tinsel -- that is getting everywhere already -- but it's a nice little change for this year.